It has been a brutal stretch for former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. After two seasons with the Seahawks, Waldron was allowed to interview elsewhere following the departure of head coach Pete Carroll. A gentle way of saying “you are not returning next year.” With good reason, I might add, since Waldron’s offenses in Seattle lacked an identity, cohesion or ability to make crucial adjustments.
This offseason, Waldron left the Emerald City for the Windy City, and unfortunately the change of scenery was not better for him. On Tuesday morning it was announced the Chicago Bears had fired Waldron, following their abysmal 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots at home.
Bears now officially have announced that offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has been fired and offensive passing game coordinator Thomas Brown has been promoted to offensive coordinator.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 12, 2024
Despite having the No. 1 quarterback from the 2024 NFL draft, Caleb Williams, and another top receiver from college last year in Rome Odunze, Chicago is once again fielding another bottom-tier anemic offense. The Bears have now gone 23-straight possessions without a touchdown and are on a three-game losing streak. They have returned to last place in the NFC North, which is where they finished in the previous two seasons.
The writing was on the wall about Waldron’s chances in Chicago. Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba didn’t exactly give his former OC a ringing endorsement when he was asked about him this offseason. Looking back, JSN’s silence was about as loud of a warning he could have given.
Of course, while Waldron’s departure from his position in Chicago is likely warranted, it’s hard to say he also wasn’t a sacrificial lamb of sorts. Two things can be true. Firing an offensive coordinator is a classic move a head coach, whose head is likely next on the proverbial chopping block, can make to prolong his own employment status. Matt Eberflus is in his third season as Chicago’s top man and nothing has looked good. He has a 14-29 record and despite consecutive last place finishes to start his tenure with the Bears, he was inexplicably allowed to return for the 2024 campaign.
Perhaps making a switch from Waldron to Thomas Brown will help give Chicago’s offense the spark it needs. Otherwise, Eberflus will likely be updating his resume just like his former offensive coordinator.
